Can anyone recommend (preferably currently in print):

1. An extensive introduction to rangefinder photography (Leica, M6TTL or otherwise). I already have Huenecke and Eastland on the M6 TTL;

2. A general manual (again very extensive) on photography for the keen and intelligent but ignorant beginner.

Many thanks; I hope that isn't too basic a question.

-- PD (pd100@hotmail.com), January 15, 2002

Answers

As a general book, I've been very pleasantly surprised by the Collins Complete Guide to Photography by Michael Freeman (isbn: 0004129180) - he's a fine (and successful) photographer and the book is particularly good on compositional technique (which is probably where it's at IMO for any photographer - certainly the beginner). Michael Langford's Basic Photography is a perennial best seller and deals with b+w film dev. etc ("Advanced Photography" deals with colour printing). The other 3 usually cited are the Ansel Adams set: "The camera", "The negative" and "The print". I've found the first two to be of most use - the problem is that while AA rarely, if ever, gets anything wrong (unlike some authors!) he wasn't the clearest of all communicators IMO and you may find the books a bit dry - they are the kind of books you keep coming back to I think, rather than reading cover to cover when starting out. I'll leave the rest to others. Very best of luck with everything.

-- steve (stephenjjones@btopenworld.com), January 15, 2002.

The best book I own on the mechanics of photography is the 'Leica Manual' by Morgan & Morgan - 35 edition. This edition is the last one printed and includes upto the M5 and Leicaflex SL. Though out of date hardware wise it has a complete course on using the rangefinder (and SLR) for photography. It isn't too hard to find (it was published in the mid 70's) and you can find them regularily in Shutterbug or thru Barnes & Nobles out of print service.........

-- Bob Todrick (bobtodrick@yahoo.com), January 15, 2002.

Another excellent book is National Geographic's "Photography Field Guide". While light on technical issues, it includes tips and techniques from several National Geographic photographers - interesting reading, and quite applicable to the style of photography for which Leicas are best used.

-- Ralph Barker (rbarker@pacbell.net), January 15, 2002.

Here's three I can recommend: Johnathan Eastland's "Leica M Compendium", Brian Bower's "Leica M Photography" and (an oldie) Andrew Matheson's "The Leica and Leicaflex Way". All these cover equipment and technique very well. For general photography there are a multitude of good books out there - go browse the shelves!

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), January 15, 2002.

In addition to the so-so okay Huenecke book, I'll throw in a vote for Gunter Osterloh's excellent M book. Now out of print, tough to find and a bit pricey when you do, but well worth the hunt. (My thanks to Mike Kastner for this recommendation!) In addition to being an excellent M reference, Osterloh's book also has a lot of good information on photography in general.

If you really want to learn more about the basic physics of photography, Ansel Adam's book "The Camera" is an excellent reference tool, and for exposure technique and the zone system his book "The Negative" is also very good.

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), January 15, 2002.